#LDchat Archive
Understood holds this weekly Twitter chat that aims to keep the momentum going and raise awareness of learning and attention issues. Follow along with hashtag #LDCHAT and follow users @understoodchats & @understoodorg. Experts will be available to answer your questions and concerns and share resources from Understood.org.
Wednesday May 4, 2016
Welcome to today’s LD Chat! Today, we’ll be talking about and kids with learning & attention issues.
This is Dan with the Understood team. Who's with us today?
Peter here. with a a PhD. ? That's me! I wrote a book! "Screwed up somehow but not stupid. Life with a learning disability"
So glad to have you, Peter!
Sharon in CT here for a short bit
Thanks! I gotta start making time for these each week. They are excellent
Excellent! Looking forward to your expertise.
Thanks for joining, Sharon!
As a reminder, the chat is now 30 minutes, so let's kick things off...
We’ll use a Q1, Q2… format for questions. Please use the A1, A2… format for answers.
Hi I'm Kerri. ADHD and learning issues. I read the bus schedule for the other side of street so I've got another 12 mins to wait ;).
Q1: Why might kids with learning and attention issues be more likely to have issues?
Always love having you, Kerri!
our program teaches holistically incorporating & . Anyone else have positive results for students w/
A1. Life with ADHD/LD often tugs you In a lot of directions at once to just try to be successful. What wouldn't cause some anxiety?
A1 Stuff happens randomly. People hate us for no reason that we can see. We screw up unintentionally
aw thanks! Love being here :)
A1 We get punished without knowing what for.
A1: anyone who has struggles can experience anxiety
A2 - difficulty with the unexpected, transitions & processing
Why might kids with learning and attention issues be more likely to have ? We're discussing NOW: https://t.co/R7FaVVTpG8
A1: those with learning challenges are often misunderstood which increases chances of anxiety
I think this really means ANYONE can experience anxiety! :)
A1 There's a lot of stigma and shame about being discovered by other kids.
the pressure & negative feelings they get from school & always feeling inadequate at school
A1. Also, anxiety was a feeling before it was a diagnosis/had a disorder. They're not one in the same.
Q2: What are some different kinds of that kids may struggle with?
A1: too many LD kids don't get the support and understanding in their education settings
I am not sure what you mean by "types of anxiety"
Agree. Diagnosed is not the same as feeling anxious or worrying about a single event https://t.co/Ssdt5zGPei
A1. Also, anxiety was a feeling before it was a diagnosis/had a disorder. They're not one in the same.
My pdoc asked at first appt if I felt anxious. Said no because I didn't. Once started on ADHD meds she said "You seem a lot calmer."
A2: test anxiety & generalized anxiety
Do you mean anxiety about different issues?
I doubt it's uncommon for all of the energy of ADHD to be misinterpreted--or misfelt--as anxiety.
A2: anxiety is anxiety, how it manifests itself is what varies
In other words, what are some specific things that may cause anxiety? Like test anxiety, or going back to school, etc.
A2. School, social, expectations, planing... All major (and "minor") life factors can cause feelings of anxiety.
A2 Test anxiety, social anxiety, school anxiety, anxiety about peers, anxiety about parental reactions, anxiety about grades
You're right. Both the small and big things can lead to anxiety.
A2 Just being alive can make us anxious. The world is scary and unpredictable
A2 Social anxiety is big.
Very true for everyone, and especially for those with learning and attention issues.
any tips for test anxiety for high schoolers?
Can you give any examples of social situations that may cause anxiety?
A2 I think that, especially for use people, social anxiety can be WAY worse than test anxiety.
My bus came! Hooray! :) here for a few more.
Q3: What are some signs of in children?
Diagnosed disorder is worry, fear etc that interferes with daily activities
A3 Depression, anger, overeating, taking drugs, being suicidal, hating school, psychosomatic pains.
Hey there! New educator from joining in late!
A3. Physical symptoms, verbally expressing worry excessively, shutting down/not speaking about fears...
By the way, thanks to everyone who voted for today's topic! Keep your eyes on our Twitter feeds for more polls in the weeks ahead.
Yes, the pressure is always there, and builds over time. The father behind they get in school, the anxiety builds.
A3: every child is different- every sign will be too. What defines as a severe sign to one could be a minor one to another child
A3: excessive worry about other's activities, fears of doing things bc of variables in outcomes
Last question coming up...
Q4: How can a parent help a child cope with ?
A3: avoidance, emotional outbursts or holding it in and it comes out as anger, irritability
A4: encourage child to talk to you, others about it everyday. Find ways to check in on past issues complained about.
A3 -AVOIDANCE of situations/tasks that are difficult. Esp if they are activities once enjoyed.
Do you have any strategies for getting your child to talk to you if he/she doesn't want to?
A4: help name the and problem solve. Don't be afraid to get professional help, including medication
Better late than never! We're on the final question now.
A4: schedules, understand what is happening ahead of time, , , .
A4 acknowledging that there anxieties are real to them. Don't enduldge their worries, but let them know you understand.
. initially it can be hard but find a time child is relaxed, not focused on something else to bring up
Yes, we switched to 30 minutes recently.
Shoot, I was unaware. Thought I still had 30 minutes left. Oh well, there's always next week!
Explaining how worry works- physical reaction etc. Externalize worry. Step into discomfort & worry will shrink.
. better to take advantage of when child brings up fear or worry and engage. Don't force.
No worries. Always happy to have you.
Any final thoughts before we sign off?
A4 Talk about what is, talk about the irrationality of anxiety to try and help them understand it a litte.
